Subjectivity of Horses and Postmodern Anthropology: A Critical Essay

Authors : Erhan Korkmaz

Pages : 226-247

Doi:10.46250/kulturder.1652925

View : 73 | Download : 69

Publication Date : 2025-06-10

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study presents a reflexive discussion on findings from my 2022–2023 field research at an equestrian club in Ankara, using a postmodern anthropological approach. I examine how anthropocentric perspectives obscure nonhuman roles in social life, analyzing horses\\\' positioning through spatial and linguistic arrangements. Drawing on postmodern anthropology and multispecies ethnography, I assess how knowledge production is shaped by ethical and species-based standpoints. My refusal to ride -rooted in veganism and animal liberation activism- limited my interactions with club members, challenging the \\\"neutral observer” ideal in classical ethnography. Through participatory observation and interviews, I explore spatial organization, linguistic codes, and horse subjectivity. Findings reveal that horses’ needs are often neglected, while labels like \\\"obedient” or \\\"troublesome” reinforce human-centered instrumentalization. Despite multispecies ethnography’s potential, anthropocentric methodological legacies constrain its effectiveness. By reflecting on horse agency and my researcher position, I highlight anthropology’s limitations in engaging with nonhuman beings and advocate for a more inclusive ethnographic perspective.
Keywords : Postmodern antropoloji, çoktürlü etnografi, düşünümsellik, insanmerkezlilik, at

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